Two Manchester United youngsters had nights of significant personal progress in a win for the under-21s.
There is a lot of talent in the Manchester United academy, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho already established first team stars.
Others are trying to find their way, and it is not always straightforward. Injuries can have a devastating effect.
Two players, Ethan Ennis and Tyler Fredricson took significant steps towards recovery in a 3-0 win for the under-21s last night over West Brom.
Ethan Ennis scores first goal since 2022
Manchester United signed Ethan Ennis in 2021, convincing the young forward to ditch Liverpool, beating competition from Chelsea.
His first season was impressive, he was backing up Alejandro Garnacho for the under-18s and managed to score 10 goals in 21 games.
Then disaster struck in pre-season 2022, when Ennis suffered a torn ACL. He has experienced a long road to recovery.
Ennis made two appearances for the under-21s last Autumn, with limited minutes. United have continued to tread carefully. He appeared last week as a substitute against Middlesbrough, before being named as a starter last night.
Latching onto a cross from Charlie McNeill, Ennis was finally back on the scoresheet last night, netting his first ever under-21 goal.
He arrived in the box at the first time to finish a first time shot to execute a well-worked counter-attacking move.
Ennis was substituted at half-time. This is expected just to have been a case of game management. In his four appearances this season, he is yet to play above 45 minutes in a match.
Tyler Fredricson returns
FA Youth Cup winner Tyler Fredricson was a notable name among the Manchester United substitutes.
The young centre-back was last seen featuring for Manchester United’s first team in the winter friendlies in Spain in December 2022.
2023 was a write-off for him, with an unspecified injury. Last night he came on as a 84th minute substitute to make his first appearance of the season, and see out a clean sheet.
Omari Forson and Willy Kambwala shine
Two players to recently turn out for the first team dropped back into the under-21 side to get some much needed game time.
Omari Forson, a substitute against Liverpool, played a key role in United’s first goal, leading a counter-attack with blistering pace evident as he drove the team upfield.
Willy Kambwala was also strong in defence, helping to shut West Brom’s attack down, and he looked to be rarely troubled.
It was the kind of assured performance you would want from a young centre-back with the capability to play at a higher level, executed with the right attitude.
United’s goals came via an own goal, Ennis, and a Charlie McNeill strike, with the forward providing two assists.